ORIGINAL: ELKampMaster
No insult intended
Normally I edit my posts quite carefully, I originally had more clarifying language added on but it sure isn't there now. I just palin missed it.
I'll try to clarify....
22 years 8 deer per year = 176 deer. That is a lot of deer, even if it wasn't 8 every year. They appear to be taken on a prettyregular basis.
** After 22 years (and xxx deer) are you getting any itching to tackle something bigger/further away and was that perhapsthe reason you bought your 300WSM? (Question #1).
--OR--
** Were you merely guiled (as seems to be the current complaint within the thread) by peer pressure and marketing hype and those manipulative gun writers? (Question #2)
--OR--
** Something else? (Question #3)
When I see something which strikes me as "different" or unanswered in my mind; it is not beyond me to inquireso I might better appreciate thedifferent viewpoint. I am curious about your reversion to your childhood gun and what it is driven by....
**Whim?
**Nostalgia?
**Boredom?
**The quest for more challenge? (e.g. Lots of folks have given up rifles for archery --- one could always go to a lower performing rifle in a quest for more challenge.)
I've got my childhood 30-30 in the safe, but the odds of it ever working its way into the "pole position" on one of my Big Game hunts is slim and none (not even for a back up rifle). You seem to have a nice rack of well spaced rifles. Just curious.
ELKampMaster
Sorry for the slow reply, but we took a pretty good hit from Rita and just got all power and internet rehooked.
I have only killed about 85 deer andmany of those have been does under our management program.
My 300 WSM is a Virgin Valley/Mike Bellm Custom Encore, and I was "talked" into the caliber by the VVG guys. I have no regrets in "choosing" 300 WSM. I had been shooting a Ruger M77RL (ultra lite) 270 for many years and getting pounded. My barrel is a full bull, and the 300 WSM literally kicks like a 243 which is what I was going for. The range that I use only is only 300 yards, but I can shoot dime size groups at 300 yards on a still day. Long range shooting is not a problem. Long range shots where I hunt is a problem. I killed a deer in 2003 at 285 yards with my 300 that never new what hit him. I CAN do long range.
I don't want this to sound like a brag, but I believe I can kill a deer with any caliber. I saw someone mention shot placement. THAT is the key. My 30/30 is super accurate and will kill as well as my 300 WSM if the shot is good. My brother has shot a 22-250 for years and killed many deer with neck shots. I do bow hunt too but am not as "diehard" as many guys. If I can kill a deer with a stick and a string, a 30/30 sure ought to be enough. Plus, I like my Marlin 30/30 and enjoy carrying it.